The Irish standard., 1887-08-20
CHAPTER x.

CHAPTER X.
Tim Croak took his pipe from his
waistcoat pocket, and running round
che elm tree, rubbed a match against a
brown stone at it's root. Doctor he
called out, keeping the trunk Of the
tree between him and the lady while he
sucked the dhudeen spasnlodically, If
you want to see the run, ride up fair al
aisy to the white thorn bush on the top
of knockclough. You can go through
Mr. Purcell's avenue; an you may take
your time, as they're goin' to dhraw the
new cover first
Tim Croak, who was in disturbed
state Of mind, having rendered this
piece OF advice with calmness which
was evidently forced, fingered his wat.
tie, and hurried away in sling t1ot, as
usual.
L think, DOCTOR Miss Evans OBJ
served, lit would be good plan. There
is a magnificent view from Knock"
clough.'
Miss Evans had not been ON Knock
clough hill for some years, but she re-
members il very we'll. The last time
was on st. Johns eve, when they
went to see the bonfres. That was the
evening they met the pale young
school master whose hair was gray.
She asked Brian was the school-master
poet, he looked SO dreamy and un :
happy.
Il don't know said Brian but T be-
heve I could tell you why his hair is
gray
Doctor Forbis has signifed his readi-
ness to accompany her. Miss Evans has
bowed TO the evangelical old lady, who
looks round anxiously for her nephew,
hoping that he will see Miss Evans to
the gate. Miss Evans is conscious that
both herself and Doctor Forbis-or,
rather, Doctor Forbis' remarkable
mare attract good deal Of attention.
She sees her other admirer become
frantic again-a crowd OF sportsmen
squirting hastily outside the limits of
the figure eight to which he confines
himself while the tit lasts. And though
last, not least, Miss Evans sees Captain
Dawson leave the marquis side and can
ter across the lawn to the gate, which he
holds open for them. Miss Evans holds
out her hand and the captain presses it
sorrowfully. Ye powers, how beauti-
full she is! Captain Dawson rides
slowly back to his post considerably
damaged.
Miss Evans saw the effect her parting
look had produced. and the smile of
triumph was in her eyes and on her
lips, yet her thoughts went back to
that st. Johns eve. She replied to the
doctors commonplace remarks about
the weather without understanding
them, and did not even evince any
extraordinary interest when he showed
he: Matt Ealzitt's old gander, the same
that beat the old fox to which Tim
Croak alluded g. while ago, in fair
fight which was supposed to have lasted
three hours and half.
And the DEVILS own fox he is-beg-
ging your pardon, Miss Evans OBJ
served Doctor Forbis, remembering the
many doleful stories he was every day
hearing from one or other of his pa
tients concerning reynard's predatory
habits-said doleful stories being meant
as apologies for the non-appearance of
certain feathered biped, which, If it
were not for thefox, would gladden. the
heart of Mrs. Forbis, and chase the
cloud from the brow Of Mrs. Forbis'
maid of-all-work, and have brighten
ing effect upon the Fo1bis household
generally. The devils own old fox
said Doctor Forbis, shaking his head
severely and solemnly as he thought Of
a certain basket in which there should
have been a fat turkey but, when the
lid was raised, was found to contain
only six heads of cabbage and hank OF
onions. Doctor Forbis consoled him
self with pinch of snuff, and rode on
in silence. Miss Evans could not get st.
j John's eve, and the bonfres, and the
poor school-master, out of her head.
Here was the very spot " here the school
master handed Brian the manuscript,
and went away without speaking.
Higher up she sees the smooth rock upon
which they sat while Brian read the
story.
Ito be Continued.)